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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
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Ultrasound fetal anthropometry to identify large-for-gestational-age: a meta-analysis
1Department of Medicine and Public Health, Nagoya Medical Science Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan - egoto1@nifty.com.
Minerva Ginecologica
|November 20, 2019
Summary
Ultrasound fetal anthropometry shows moderate accuracy for identifying large-for-gestational-age (LGA) neonates. While not definitive, these measurements may serve as a secondary screening tool for LGA pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Diagnostic Accuracy
- Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Large-for-gestational-age (LGA) is associated with increased maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.
- Accurate identification of LGA is crucial for optimizing pregnancy outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of ultrasound fetal anthropometry for identifying LGA neonates.
- To assess the performance of anthropometric formulas in recent studies (2015 onwards).
Main Methods:
- Bivariate diagnostic meta-analysis of studies published in English.
- Calculation of sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratio.
- Quality assessment using the revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool and assessment for publication bias.
Main Results:
- Anthropometric formulas demonstrated high specificity (0.92) but moderate sensitivity (0.71) and DOR (26).
- The diagnostic performance suggests a strategy of "neither exclusion nor confirmation" for LGA.
- Findings were more promising than previous meta-analyses not restricted to recent data; no publication bias was detected.
Conclusions:
- Current ultrasound fetal anthropometry is not strongly indicative for identifying LGA.
- Anthropometric formulas derived from future ultrasounds are expected to be valuable, particularly as a secondary screening method for LGA.
